God's Promises By Joshua Evers
The assigned reading for this week was by far my favorite. Specifically, I was excited to reread chapters in Isaiah and Daniel. Through the entire Old Testament and especially in the prophets, we as Christians can clearly see that God always keeps His promises. Absolutely everything that leaves the mouth of God has and will come to pass.
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6. ESV
Interestingly, Isaiah foretells of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, and only a few verses later proceeds to inform the Jews of the incoming judgement that God has ordained for them. I suppose Isaiah was a bad news first kind of guy. Likely speaking about the quick fall of the northern kingdom, he then describes their incoming captivity and harsh oppression that the Israelites will be subject to. However, God preserves a remnant, mentioned in Isaiah 10:20, who will once again depend on the Lord while God punishes the Assyrians. Judgement is present throughout the Old Testament and can really turn people away, but the restoration and mercy offered by God afterwards is crucial to our understanding of God's relationship with the Jewish people and with Christians today.
Yes!! Throughout the passages we read this weekend we read bad news and yet God also promises redemption which ultimately comes through Jesus the Messiah. God is just but He is also merciful and gracious and honestly, we should praise Him for all of these characteristics!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree! It's awesome to see God's faithfulness displayed in these passages, and His overwhelming ability to love us regardless of what we might do. Yes, there are consequences for sin, and rightfully so, but He still provides redemption and forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteI agree that God's faithfulness is directly shown in these passages because although not entirely literally every prophecy was fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteGod's judgement can definitely be seen as overpowering in the Old Testament with all wrongdoings of the Israelites, but God's mercy is even greater than his judgement. It is like you said the mercy offered afterwards is crucial when it comes to understanding God's relationship with people today and the Jews.
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